Part of our pursuit of happiness is having our estate in order. Most often, when we hear about estate planning, we tend to think of it in terms of having a will for when we pass away. But since life can throw some unexpected curveballs at us, we also have to think about other things as well. Connor’s mother, Merrilee Boyack joins us to share her expertise from more than 3 decades as an estate planning attorney.

Few things can magnify our individual efforts like making productive connections with others who are hard at work in a similar cause. The division of labor works at a philosophical level too. If you’re serious about growing your circle of influence, you must learn how to network with others. In this episode, we discuss some of the networking lessons learned while attending the recent Foundation for Economic Education conference in Atlanta.

One of the biggest problems of America’s $21 trillion national debt is that the numbers are so large that few of us can comprehend it. This means that the catastrophic potential of that debt is largely incomprehensible too. While we focus on things like the stock market and unemployment rates, the numbers—and associated interest we owe—keep growing and growing. Anthony Randazzo from Reason joins Connor to explain why the national debt should matter to us and what it portends for the future.

A lot of predictions have been made about where the world is going and it’s amazing how often they’ve been dead wrong. From overpopulation to peak oil to flying cars, the future doesn’t always unfold the way some experts are insisting it will. Meanwhile, things that were not anticipated to be as impactful—like some technologies—have changed how we do everything. Join us as we discuss what we can learn from the predictions that didn’t pan out as well as the ones that we should have given a second look.

Free speech zones, speech codes, campus unrest and radicalized student movements are becoming regular features of higher education. If you’ve ever felt concerned that young people today are more inclined to big government and central planning, you’re going to love the message Cliff Maloney has to share. His organization Young Americans for Liberty is helping young people become decisively engaged in the cause of liberty.

Watershed moments are those pivotal events on which history turns and the course of an entire nation can shift. Unfortunately, they are seldom recognized as such until many years later. In 1913, America experienced at least 3 watershed moments that have led us to serious consequences more than a century later. This reality underscores the importance of considering not only that which is seen when enacting a public policy but also the unintended consequences which are often not immediately seen.

The story of the U.S. Constitution is one of a gradually expanding federal government that has slowly but surely outgrown the limits on its power. Nowhere is this more clear than in how the Bill of Rights, which originally limited federal power, has been imposed upon the states to make them subservient to Washington D.C. Kevin Gutzman joins us to discuss how the Incorporation Doctrine has given the feds even greater power over the states and a moral standing that they may not have earned.

Everyone agrees that education is essential. How it is supposed to take place is a source of intense debate and discussion. Is there a difference between education and schooling? For that matter, can a one-size-fits-all approach ever meet the needs of individuals who differ widely in how they learn? If you’ve ever struggled through the conveyor belt process of learning things that didn’t interest you in the least, you’ll appreciate Connor’s insights into passion-driven education.

When the U.S. Constitution was written, the balance of power between the states and the federal government they called into existence was very different. Under federalism, the states and the people were superior to the federal government in all but a very few, clearly enumerated areas. The framers drove this point home in the 10th Amendment to the Bill of Rights. Over time, however, this relationship has been turned on its head. Michael Boldin from the 10th Amendment Center joins us to discuss why this happened and whether the 10th Amendment remains relevant in our day.

Most of us have thought at one time or another, “What would I have done differently, if I’d only understood then what I understand now?” We may not get to turn back the clock for a do-over, but we can certainly take inventory of where our understanding has grown. It’s a powerful way to key in on some of the best lessons we’ve learned along the way. If you could give advice to your younger self, what would say?

Podcast Reviews

Having listened to two episodes, I'm delighted to have found a pod distinguished by reasoned, principled discourse. Hear hear!

Extraordinary

December 15, 2017 by wysiwyg22 from United States

My new favorite Podcast! Every show (after 6 episodes) has been excellent. Great topics. Great guests. It’s nice to know that you’re not the only one who thinks like this in this upside down world.

Informative, thought provoking, and positive

August 19, 2017 by annilita1 from United States

It's so nice to have found a podcast about liberty that is informative and positive! At the end of every episode, I feel like I'm ready to go out and be a little better. Great work, guys!

An excellent podcast about liberty

August 15, 2017 by Riley_86 from United States

The combination of Bryan and Connor is a great one, because both men are liberty minded, and with Bryan's experience doing radio, it makes for a great show. These men will bring up topics that will make you think, and teach you a better way to think.

Fantastic job guys!

July 21, 2017 by Mick McArt2 from United States

I just listened to episode 5 and am truly impressed. Great guest, and good questions. Keep up the great work!